Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2023
63. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his plans to develop housing on State-owned lands in line with the principles of the transit-oriented development in Limerick metropolitan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54133/23]
View answerMy Department and the Department of Transport jointly established a working group in December 2021 under ‘Housing for All’ to consider opportunities for Transport Orientated Development (TOD) in major urban centres.
TOD is important to achieving the National Planning Framework’s (NPF) priorities for compact and sustainable growth, supporting climate targets under the Climate Action Plan 2023 and in meeting housing delivery targets in Housing for All.
Lands around Colbert Railway Station in Limerick were identified and agreed for transfer to the Land Development Agency (LDA) as part of the regeneration and strategic development of that area in 2021. The intention for cities like Limerick is to ensure that the development potential of lands that are well served by public transport or where there is relevant planned transport investment proposed can be optimised.
In December 2022, the LDA published the Colbert Quarter Spatial Framework following an extensive engagement period with the wider community and other stakeholders, including the HSE, CIE and Limerick City and County Council. This framework outlines the LDA's vision to create a series of eight inclusive and integrated districts within the Colbert Quarter environs.
The LDA has indicated that the overall yield of new homes at Colbert Quarter will be up to 2,000 units, including a mix of houses and apartments that will be social, affordable purchase and cost rental homes.
Following the publication of the Report on Relevant Public Lands published by the LDA in March 2023, my Department undertook a series of stakeholder engagements with site owners identified within that report. Lands in the Colbert Quarter were considered with the various site owners, the HSE, CIE and Limerick City and County Council.
I understand from those stakeholder engagements that plans for the Colbert Quarter are progressing and a draft masterplan for the former St. Joseph's Hospital was published in November of this year. It has the potential to deliver up to 600 homes on site. The LDA is currently undertaking a public consultation on that plan and it is expected that planning permission will be sought for phase 1 of the Colbert Quarter housing delivery in early 2025.
